Forum

[Michael]

Not on my Enfield, but still a problem I am facing. I have to swap over some cv joints on my van but the Allen head bolts are, of course, completely rounded. There is no access for a socket over the top of the bolts cos they are too close to the metalwork of the cv boot. There is also no real access for a drill to drill them out... So I am a bit stuck. I tried a slightly bigger Allen wrench, hammering it home and got some grip but it stripped just before it felt like the bolt would bite. Next option is Moley grips... Any other ideas which might help? Drilling of the heads also might not be an option as there won't be enough clearance to get the joint away from the remaining studs.

[PeteF]

Don't suppose there's room to weld a bar on to the screw head?
If not, I've had success with Mole grips in cases like this.
Get some penetrating oil in first if you can (not just WD40) and let it soak.
Curved jaw Moles will give better grip than straight ones if you have them.

[Mark M]

Can you cut through the joint with an angle grinder, pull the shafts out (I'm guessing they'll be splined at one end at least,) and free the rounded allen bolts on the bench where you can get at them?
REgards, Mark

[Midge]

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... rew-remove

[Michael]

Cheers folks, I knew a few ideas would come in here!!! Pete - Probably room to weld something on, but I don't have a welder and that seems like an expensive solution/cheap excuse to get one! Good idea though. Midge - Cutting the joint out might work, but they are circlip-ed and splined in at both ends - the main problem is that the shafts and CV joints can only come out at one end first, the other is located INSIDE the swinging arm suspension (great idea by VW!). Again, I am limited by equipment though - my angle grinder is at my father in laws, on the other side of the country.




Will try moley grips, and will look for curved ones at machine mart today. Good tip about the penetrating oil - I was using WD40 last night, didn't realise it wouldn't really cut the mustard. This was supposed to take 1 hour!




Midge, good idea - just like the grip sockets I considered, but I am not sure I have the room to get my drill perpendicular to teh bolts. Might make things worse. I want to try and get these out without removing material if at all possible, as I will have a real problem if the bolts shear off at that end. Ta everyone!

[Mark M]

Michael, one more thing, HEAT is the best tool here. Get a really hot gas torch on it (the MAPP gas type used by plumbers is excellent for this,) and get the exposed parts really hot, cherry red hot. This will help break the rust seal before using grips. Grips will chew the metal up, not a problem if you get the bolt free first time, but each re-use will take more material off eventually leading to nothing left to grip. So make sure you've done everything else you can first! WD 40 is next to useless in this situation and even quality penetrating oil will take a long time to work. Good luck,
REgards, Mark

[Michael]

Cheers Mark, blow torch at the ready in time for another attempt tonight

[Davie Hall]

Hi Michael, what you can try is , get the next size up torx bit and hammer it into the end of the allen bolt. Before you try to remove it heat where it screws in then try and remove it. Hope this helps

[Michael]

Thanks all. 11 out of 12 bolts removed wuth heat and moley grips. One bolt is a 12 point spline and is located inside the swinging arm - bah. Just ordered the bit so hopefully the right bit plus some heat should get the last one off then I can renew the cvs. Nearly a happy bunny. Plus the new fuel pump should arrive tomorrow and along with the new awning then we can get away for the weekend and rest up my EFI